Caladium plant named ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Caladium plant named ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’, characterized by its intermediate in height and upright to mounding plant habit; dense, leafy and bushy appearance; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; lance-type leaves that are very dark green with a dark reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color; dark colored petioles that are close to black in color; and tolerance to full sunlight conditions.

Botanical designation: Caladium X hortulanum.

Cultivar denomination: ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisementsrelating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred morethan one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant.Inventor/Applicant claims a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C.102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but lessthan one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Caladiumplant, botanically known as Caladium X hortulanum, commercially referredto as a lance leaf-type Caladium and hereinafter referred to by the name‘THAI STR OF17-1082’.

The objective of the Inventor's breeding program is to create newCaladium plants that have uniform plant habit, exceptional container andgarden performance and attractive and unique leaf coloration.

The new Caladium plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor in April, 2016 in Avon Park, Fla. of Caladium X hortulanum‘Florida Red Ruffles’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,136, as thefemale, or seed, parent with Caladium X hortulanum ‘Toasted Bronze’, notpatented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Caladium plant wasdiscovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Avon Park, Fla. in September, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Caladium plant by “chipping” the tubers(cutting the tuber into segments with each segment containing anaxillary bud and tuber cortical tissue) in a controlled outdoor nurseryenvironment in Zolfo Springs, Fla. since April, 2018 has shown that theunique features of this new Caladium plant are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Caladium have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’ as a newand distinct Caladium plant:

-   -   1. Intermediate in height and upright to mounding plant habit;        dense, leafy and bushy appearance.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Lance-type leaves that are very dark green with a dark        reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color.    -   4. Dark colored petioles that are close to black in color.    -   5. Tolerant to full sunlight conditions.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the femaleparent, ‘Florida Red Ruffles’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are intermediate in height whereas        plants of ‘Florida Red Ruffles’ are short in height.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium very dark green with a        dark reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color are        whereas leaves of plants of ‘Florida Red Ruffles’ have dark        red-colored venation and intervenous areas and green-colored        borders.    -   3. Plants of the new Caladium have dark colored petioles that        are close to black in color whereas plants of ‘Florida Red        Ruffles’ have petioles that close to black in color with tannish        pink-colored stripes.

Plants of the new Caladium differ primarily from plants of the maleparent, ‘Toasted Bronze’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are intermediate in height whereas        plants of ‘Toasted Bronze’ are short in height.    -   2. Plants of the new Caladium are more vigorous than plants of        ‘Toasted Bronze’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium very dark green with a        dark reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color        whereas leaves of plants of ‘Toasted Bronze’ are reddish bronze        in color with darker-colored venation.

Plants of the new Caladium can be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘Burning Heart’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,071. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Burning Heart’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are lance types whereas        leaves of plants of ‘Burning Heart’ are fancy types.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are very dark green with        a dark reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color        whereas leaves of plants of ‘Burning Heart’ are bronze red in        color with contrasting salmon orange-colored spots and dark red        bronze-colored venation.    -   3. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are close to        black in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of ‘Burning        Heart’ are tannish green to tannish pink in color.

Plants of the new Caladium can also be compared to plants of Caladium Xhortulanum ‘RUF 1522-3’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,615. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Caladium differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘RUF 1522-3’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Caladium are intermediate in height whereas        plants of ‘RUF 1522-3’ are short to intermediate in height.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are narrower than leaves        of plants of ‘RUF 1522-3’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Caladium are very dark green with        a dark reddish brown cast appearing close to black in color        whereas leaves of plants of ‘RUF 1522-3’ are dark red in color        with dark green-colored margins.    -   4. Leaf petioles of plants of the new Caladium are close to        black in color whereas leaf petioles of plants of ‘RUF 1522-3’        are tannish pink in color with greenish brown-colored stripes,        streaks, stippling and tessellations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caladium plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Caladium plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical plant of ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’ grown in a container that hashad its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is sideperspective view of typical plants of the female parent, ‘Florida RedRuffles’ (right), ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’ (center) and the male parent,‘Toasted Bronze’ (left).

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet (FIG. 3 ) is sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘Burning Heart’ (left), ‘THAI STROF17-1082’ (center) and ‘RUF 1522-3’ (right).

The photograph at the top of the third sheet (FIG. 4 ) is a comparisonview of typical plants of ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’ grown in containers, theplant on the left has not had its tuber de-eyed and the plant on theright has had its tuber de-eyed prior to planting.

The photograph at the bottom of the third sheet (FIG. 5 ) is a sideperspective view of typical plants of ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’ grown in anopen production field.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet (FIG. 6 ) is a close-upview of typical freshly-harvested tubers with roots and leaf petioles of‘THAI STR OF17-1082’.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet (FIG. 7 ) is a close-upview of a typical flowering plant of ‘THAI STR OF17-1082’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown in 15-cm containers in apolypropylene-covered shade house (30% light reduction) in Avon Park,Fla. and plants grown in ground beds under full sunlight conditions inan outdoor nursery in Crewsville, Fla. The plants were grown undercultural practices typical of commercial shade house and outdoor nurseryproduction. During the production of the shade house-grown plants, daytemperatures ranged from about 28 C to 33 C, night temperatures rangedfrom about 22 C to 25 C and light levels were about 1,300 μmol. Duringthe production of the outdoor nursery-grown plants, day temperaturesranged from about 29 C to 35 C, night temperatures ranged from about 23C to 26 C and full sunlight conditions. Plants grown in the shade housewere nine weeks old and plants grown in the outdoor nursery were fivemonths old when the photographs and the detailed description were taken.In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 and 2015 Editions, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Caladium X hortulanum ‘THAI STR    OF17-1082’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Florida Red            Ruffles’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,136.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Caladium X hortulanum ‘Toasted            Bronze’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By “chipping” the tubers.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About seven to ten days at            temperatures about 32 C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two to three weeks at            temperatures about 24 C.        -   Tuber description (outdoor nursery-grown            plants).—Appearance: Multi-segmented, clumping and branched            tubers; individual segments are elliptic to irregular in            shape. Height: About 3.3 cm to 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 5.3            cm to 6 cm. Segment height: About 2.2 cm. Segment diameter:            About 1.7 cm. Axillary bud shape: Roughly triangular.            Axillary bud height: About 5 mm. Axillary bud width: About            7 mm. Texture: Thick, starchy; somewhat brittle. Color:            Periderm, freshly-harvested: Close to N177B. Periderm,            dried: Close to 200A. Epidermis: Close to 49D becoming            closer to N170D with subsequent development. Cortical            tissue: Close to 4D. Axillary buds: Close to 38C and 49D.            Root description: Thick, fleshy contractile roots with few            lateral branches; color, close to NN155D; actual color of            the roots is dependent on substrate composition, water            quality, fertilizer type and formulation, substrate            temperature and physiological age of roots. Rooting density:            Moderately dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant type.—Herbaceous perennial; suitable as a potted plant            in containers 15-cm to 25-cm and suitable as a landscape            plant in shaded and full sunlight areas.        -   Plant and growth habit.—Intermediate in height and upright            to mounding plant habit; plants grown from tubers that have            been de-eyed are more mounded than plants grown from tubers            that have not been de-eyed; dense, leafy and bushy            appearance; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid            growth rate; potted plants finish in saleable form in about            nine weeks after planting tubers; leaf petioles and leaves            arise from one or more growing points on tubers; leaf            petioles initially upright and leaning outwardly with            development.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of foliar plane, shade            house-grown potted plants.—When de-eyed, about 33 cm to 40            cm; when not de-eyed, about 43 cm.        -   Plant height, from soil level to top of floral plane, shade            house-grown potted plants.—About 36 cm.        -   Plant diameter, shade house-grown potted plants.—When            de-eyed, about 37 cm; when not de-eyed, about 50 cm to 52            cm.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers not de-eyed.—About one to three develop per #1 tuber.        -   Number of shoots per plant, shade house-grown potted plants,            tubers de-eyed.—About five to nine develop per #1 tuber.        -   Cataphylls, shade house-grown potted plants.—Length: About            5.2 cm to 7.5 cm. Width: About 1 cm to 1.3 cm. Shape:            Lanceolate to triangular. Apex: Variable, acute to slightly            emarginate. Base: Sheathing the stem. Texture, outer and            inner surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, outer surface:            Close to 203A; color becoming closer to 200B and 203A with            subsequent development. Color, inner surface: Close to N155C            and N187D flushed and streaked with close to 200B; edges,            close to N200A; colors and color patterns visible from outer            surface.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and type.—Alternate; simple; lance-type.        -   Length, shade house-grown potted plants.—When de-eyed, about            15.5 cm to 19.5 cm; when not de-eyed, about 19.5 cm to 24.5            cm.        -   Width, shade house-grown potted plants.—When de-eyed, about            8 cm to 9 cm and flattened, about 10 cm to 11 cm; when not            de-eyed, about 10 cm to 12.8 cm and flattened, about 14.3 cm            to 18 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to lanceolate; with development, cupped and            somewhat conduplicate.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Sagittate-peltate; cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire; moderately flat to wavy with broad            undulations.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; dull to            glossy and slightly glaucous; medium in thickness and            somewhat rigid.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            glaucous and dull in sheen.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate and palmate.        -   Color, shade house-grown potted de-eyed plants.—Developing            and fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Background color:            Darker than 147A and NN137A; variably flushed and blotched            with close to N200A tinged with close to 183A. Margins:            Close to 183A and 183B; edges, close to 187A. Basal notch:            Close to 147C, 147D and 155C; edges, close to 187A; at leaf            petiole junction, close to N186A and N186C. Midvein and            lateral venation: Close to 203A and N186A; areas surrounding            venation, close to 203A and N186A. Developing and fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Background color: Close to            189C, 189D, 191A and 195B; variably flushed and mottled with            close to N186A tinged with close to N186C. Margins: Close to            191A variably flushed and mottled with close to N186A tinged            with close to N186C; edges, close to 187A. Basal notch:            Close to 187A. Midvein: Close to 183A and 200B. Primary            veins: Close to 183A, 200B and N170D.        -   Petioles.—Aspect: Initially upright and straight, and            slightly outwardly leaning with development; flexible.            Length, shade house-grown de-eyed potted plants: About 18.2            cm to 27 cm. Length, shade house-grown not de-eyed potted            plants: About 24 cm to 33 cm. Diameter, distally, shade            house-grown de-eyed potted plants: About 3 mm to 4 mm.            Diameter, distally, shade house-grown not de-eyed potted            plants: About 4.5 mm to 6 mm. Diameter, proximally, shade            house-grown de-eyed potted plants: About 6.5 mm to 8 mm.            Diameter, proximally, shade house-grown not de-eyed potted            plants: About 7 mm to 11 mm. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Color, shade house-grown potted plants:            Close to 203A and N200A; just below the leaf junction, close            to 203A. Wing length, shade house-grown de-eyed potted            plants: About 5.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Wing length, shade            house-grown not de-eyed potted plants: About 5.5 cm to            12.5 cm. Wing diameter, shade house-grown de-eyed potted            plants: About 6 mm to 9 mm. Wing diameter, shade house-grown            not de-eyed potted plants: About 8.5 mm to 10 mm. Texture            and luster, inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Wing color, shade house-grown potted            plants: Outer surface: Close to 203A or N155C with marbling,            close to 203A. Inner surface: Close to N187D and N155C;            center, flushed and streaked with close to 200B; edges,            close to N200A; colors and patterns on the outer surface are            visible on the inner surface.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Upright hooded spathes            surrounding a columnar spadix borne on an upright scape;            spadix with sessile, simple female and male flowers            separated into two zones; female flowers develop on the            proximal one-third of the spadix; male flowers develop on            the distal two-thirds of the spadix; sterile flowers develop            at junction of female and male flower zones; near this            junction, the spathe constricts and surrounds and encloses            the female flowers; spathe open and cupped around male            flowers.        -   Fragrance.—Night-fragrant; jasmine-like with mint/camphor            note.        -   Natural flowering season and flower longevity.—Plants of the            new Caladium typically flower during the spring and summer            in central Florida; flowers develop about four weeks after            growth commences; inflorescences last about three days            before fading; inflorescences persistent.        -   Spathe.—Length, overall: About 14.8 cm. Length, distal open            portion: About 10 cm. Length, proximal closed portion: About            4.8 cm. Width, distal open portion: About 2.9 cm. Depth,            distal open portion: About 1.5 cm. Width, at constriction:            About 1.5 cm. Width, proximal closed portion: About 3.1 cm.            Shape, open portion: Narrowly elliptic to obovate. Apex:            Acute. Base: Acute to somewhat obtuse. Margin: Entire;            proximally, may be split. Texture and luster, front surface:            Smooth, glabrous; dull sheen. Texture and luster, rear            surface: Distally, smooth, glabrous with a dull sheen;            proximally, smooth, glabrous, slightly glaucous. Color,            front surface: Distal open portion: Close to 159D tinged            with close to N170D and 182D; with subsequent development,            becoming closer to 199A. Proximal closed portion: Close to            148C and 148D; towards the base, flushed with close to 187A            and N186C; color does not change with subsequent            development. Color, rear surface: Distal open portion: Close            to 158A; center, tinged with close to 160D; margin, faintly            tinged with close to 182D; blotches, veins and streaks,            close to 200B tinged with close to N186C; color does not            change with subsequent development. Proximal closed portion:            Close to 147B with blotches, close to 202A; color does not            change with subsequent development.        -   Spadix.—Length, overall: About 10 cm. Length, male flower            zone: About 5.7 cm. Length, sterile zone: About 2 cm.            Length, female flower zone: About 2.3 cm. Diameter, male            flower zone: About 1 cm. Diameter, sterile flower zone:            About 7 mm. Diameter, female flower zone: About 1.2 mm.            Shape: Columnar, spindle-shaped. Apex: Acute to rounded.            Base: Obtuse. Aspect: Upright. Color, mature, male zone:            Close to 158D tinged with close to 18D. Color, mature,            sterile zone: Close to 159C and 159D. Color, mature, female            zone: Close to 159D and 158B. Male flowers: Quantity per            spadix: About 320. Shape: Obovate. Height: About 2.5 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Pollen amount: None observed. Female            flowers: Quantity per spadix: About 260. Shape: Ovate to            elliptic. Height: About 3.5 mm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm.            Stigma color: Close to 159D. Ovary color: Close to 158B.        -   Scapes.—Length: About 26 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm. Strength:            Sturdy; somewhat flexible. Aspect: Mostly erect, straight.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy; distally,            glaucous. Color: Close to 202A tinged with close to N186A.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Caladium.-   Pathogen tolerance/resistance: Plants of the new Caladium have been    observed to have average tolerance to Pythium Root Rot and average    tolerance to Xanthomonas Leaf Spot. Plants of the new Caladium have    not been observed to have tolerance/resistance to other pathogens    common to Caladium plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Caladium have been observed    to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 7 C to about 40 C and    are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8A to 11. In cooler zones,    tubers can be “lifted” prior to first freeze and stored in a cool    dry environment to overwinter for re-planting the following spring.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Caladium plant named ‘THAI STROF17-1082’ as illustrated and described.